Makomborero is a UK based charity, founded by Mark and Laura Albertyn in 2007. It is a small charity that is run by a diverse team of trustees. Makomborero supports the work of Makomborero Zimbabwe by making grants to Makomborero Zimbabwe. All of our UK trustees volunteer their time to administer Makomborero, outside of their day-to-day jobs.
Tunde has been the Chairman of Makomborero’s UK Board of Trustees since 2008 when he joined. He has witnessed it uniquely evolve, with rapid growth over the past 12 years, and is excited about its future.
Tunde was born in the UK, but most of his formative years (schooling and working) were in Nigeria. The barrier of poverty to further education was readily apparent, so he really appreciates the challenges Makomborero seeks to address. Furthermore he has a personal affinity with Zimbabwe as a country, believing in its huge potential, and especially the people. His philosophy is, “no matter the magnitude of the world’s problems, addressing it ‘one life at a time’ makes it just that bit better”.
Tunde is a qualified architect, and has public service experience in contract management, working in the employment and transportation sectors. He is married with two daughters, and loves writing, reading and following Spurs.
Nathan joined the board of Makomborero in 2008 as Treasurer and has provided financial and operational leadership to the charity ever since. As the charity has grown, Nathan has ensured that the correct policies and procedures are established to support each phase of its development. Nathan also brings knowledge of financial governance, risk management, investment and fundraising to the board as well as an established network in the professional and charity sectors.
Nathan is passionate about the work of Makomborero, having witnessed the way the charity has already transformed the lives of so many students in Zimbabwe. He believes deeply in the power of education to support young leaders, who are aspiring to break the cycle of multi-generational poverty in their families and communities.
Nathan works in the City as a corporate banker with broad experience across the SME sector including the provision of social finance to charities and social enterprises in the UK. He is married with two young children and enjoys travel, food and drink, and listening to music.
Nicola joined the board of Makomborero in 2011, bringing with her the entrepreneurial skills associated with running a small business. Nicola is responsible for Media and Publicity and has been instrumental in launching Makomborero into the online world.
Nicola was born and brought up in Zimbabwe, and knew Mark and Laura when they were all children / teenagers. She has a strong desire to help spread a little luck and fortune to those who are not born into the privilege that she was.
Having spent eight years working as an engineer for a large motor manufacturer, Nicola now owns her own Interior Design practice, and is a contributor to The 20 Project – a book of wisdom and advice for young people facing tough life choices. Her interests include travel, photography, cooking and scuba diving.
Tanatsa Nyamambi joined the Makomborero Board of Trustees in October 2014. Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Tanatsa was educated in Zimbabwe (junior and high school) before going on to obtain her tertiary education in Cape Town and London.
Tanatsa’s career has spanned both the Human Resources and Legal professions. Currently working as a Financial Crime Advisor in the banking industry in London, Tanatsa hopes to utilise her skills to aid Makomborero and its beneficiaries. Tanatsa is a firm believer in the power of education, and attributes her achievements in life to the value her parents placed on her education, which has opened up endless opportunities for her. It is with this in mind that Tanatsa wanted to be a part of the Makomborero vision. Nelson Mandela said “a good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something special”. Makomborero’s approach is not limited to the classroom which makes its unique approach an effective and powerful one.
Tanatsa loves to travel, is an aspiring golfer and guitar player.
Simba joined the board of Makomborero in July 2015. Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Simba came to the UK in 1998 to study. He is a Chartered Management Accountant and has built a career in finance working for various Investment and Asset Management firms. Currently, Simba is a member of the global senior leadership team for a renowned solar investment and asset management company.
Simba lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and four children. His favourite quote is an African proverb “If you want to go quickly go alone, if you want to go far go together”. The latter part of this proverb aligns with his belief that collective responsibility for the future generations’ education liberates communities from the grip of poverty. This has been his draw to work with Makomborero.
Simba is an avid runner and also enjoys travelling and cooking.
Jacquelyn was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and spent her childhood not only in Zimbabwe but living in other southern African countries as well. She is passionate about Zimbabwe, education (in particular girl’s education) and animal welfare. Jacquelyn comes from a family who are passionate supporters of education and her love of reading was instilled by her grandparents.
Jacquelyn qualified as an accountant with a Big Four firm. She now works with start-ups, entrepreneurs and private investors. Jacquelyn lives in London, but travels extensively for both work and pleasure. A keen hiker and lifelong horse rider, any spare time is normally spent exploring the great outdoors and far away from her desk!
James was born and brought up in England but spent the first 8 years of his working life in Zimbabwe, three and a half years as a teacher of history at Harare High School (now Mbare High) and the rest as a journalist. He returned to UK in 1990 to qualify as a lawyer and after spells with commercial firms in London and Oxford worked for 18 years as in house counsel for Oxford University Press, the publishing department of the University of Oxford. At OUP his role included advising businesses based in Cape Town, Nairobi and Dar. He retired from OUP in August 2019 and is now working for a post graduate diploma in Counselling Children in Schools.
James is married to a Zimbabwean, Danielle, and has two grown up sons.
Will you help us give hope to Zimbabwe’s children by donating to our charity today?
